In This Issue:

Young Hoosier Philanthropist: Weston Luzadder

Improved Youth Philanthropy Web Site

Power of Children Exhibit

YP Trainings for the New Year

Youth Venture

Join the Souper Bowl of Caring

New Report Extols Benefits of Service Learning

Young Voter Myths and Facts Released by Rock the Vote

Who's Your Hoosier Hero?

Do Something Grants

Young Hoosier Philanthropist: Weston Luzadder

Weston Luzadder is a 2007 Power of Children Awards winner and the founder of Bikes 4 Kids.  A mechanically-inclined junior at Carmel High School, Weston started the Bikes 4 Kids program to reduce the number of children in his community without a bike to call their own. 

Bikes 4 Kids collects gently used bicycles, restores them to like-new quality and then distributes the refurbished rides to kids in need.  Each child also receives a new helmet and a bicycle-safety lesson from Weston.  The Luzadders make it a family affair by having Mom (Valerie) work with school counselors to identify possible recipients, and Dad (Patrick) obtain the parts necessary for restoration.  Once those pieces fall into place, Weston brings the bikes back to life by making needed repairs.  

With more than 100 bikes distributed and many more waiting for a home, Weston's Bikes 4 Kids project will be cheering up kids for a long time to come.  For more information, visit http://www.bikes4kids.net. 

Improved Youth Philanthropy Web Site

The YPII Web site has been overhauled just in time for the new year!  When you visit, you'll find a more user-friendly layout, as well as additional information and resources to help communities grow lifelong philanthropists.  The site remains a work in progress, but suggestions that will help us meet your needs are always welcome!  View the site

Power of Children Exhibit

Wow!  Powerful!  Unbelievable!  It touches your heart!  These are just a few of the comments made by those who have experienced The Children's Museum of Indianapolis' new permanent exhibit, The Power of Children: Making a Difference.

We encourage you to take your family to see this wonderful new exhibit at The Children's Museum.  Even better, talk with your kids about how they can make a difference and then get involved as a family by giving and serving together.

YP Trainings for the New Year

Start the New Year off with a resolution to plan a youth philanthropy training event for your community.  Trainings are now available for foundations, youth-serving organizations, schools and faith-based organizations/congregations at a discounted rate.  While available, grant funding will subsidize a major portion of typical training costs, resulting in a fee of just $30 per hour.  A sample of possible youth philanthropy training topics includes: 

   § Youth Philanthropy 101 (an overview of components of youth philanthropy)
   § Starting a Youth Philanthropy Initiative in Your Community
   § Integrating Philanthropy into Your Programs
   § Fund Development for Youth Philanthropy

Trainings are tailored to the needs of your organization.  For additional information about a training to fit your local community needs, contact Eileen Ryan at eryan@ypin.org or 317.630.5200.

Youth Venture

Youth Venture is a global movement of young changemakers that pioneered the field of youth social entrepreneurship.  Dedicated to the development of future leaders, Youth Venture supports young people from around the world in launching and sustaining social ventures that create positive impact in their communities.  A key element of that support is an opportunity for Venture teams to receive up to $1,000 in project seed money.  To learn more about Youth Venture, visit http://www.genv.net. 

Already operating in 14 countries across the globe, Youth Venture is now coming to central Indiana.  With the support of a local corporate foundation, a pilot project focused on infusing youth ventures into existing strategies and cultures is being conducted.  For more information on the pilot project, contact Tomas Beauchamp at tomas.beauchamp@usa.net or 812.824.6029 (home). 

Join the Souper Bowl of Caring

During the week leading up to the Super Bowl (January 28-February 1), schools across the country will participate in the Souper Bowl of Caring to fight hunger and poverty in their local communities.  To learn how to become one of the new National Schools of Caring, visit http://www.souperbowl.org. 

New Report Extols Benefits of Service Learning

A new compilation report published by Indiana Campus Compact takes a close look at the impact of service learning on higher education institutions and their local communities.  Among the findings of Crossroads and Common Ground  is a strong symbiotic relationship between service learning and student retention.  The report also shows that the general public supports service learning, but could become more enthusiastic about the movement if shown that these experiences prepare students for civic-minded professional careers and personal lives.

Young Voter Myths and Facts Released by Rock the Vote

Rock the Vote recently released a new media briefing paper, Youth Voter Myths and Facts, which outlines facts about the youth vote.  Included are basic voter turnout statistics for 18-29 year olds, information on common misconceptions about the youth vote and the latest young voter polling data, including updates from Iowa, New Hampshire, South Carolina and nationwide polls.  Read the report

Who's Your Hoosier Hero?
Indiana Dollars for Scholars is inviting students to participate in the third annual Hoosier Heroes™ program. Any Indiana high school junior or senior may nominate a living current or former resident of Indiana who inspires them. Students should nominate their hero in one of five categories. There will be two winners in each category, and each nominating student will receive a $2,000 post-secondary scholarship*, presented at the Hoosier Heroes Celebration in Indianapolis on May 8, 2008.  Heroes will also receive a $2,000 scholarship* to designate to the Indiana high school of their choice.  In 2007, more than $43,000 in scholarships was awarded to Hoosier students and high schools!  The deadline for submission is January 31, 2008.

For more information, visit www.IndianaDollarsforScholars.org or www.HoosierHeroes.org.

*Each $2,000 scholarship contains a $1,000 USA Funds match

Do Something Grants
DoSomething.org is currently featuring two weekly grant opportunities for young people.  GameStop Youth Grants offer $500 to anyone in the U.S. or Canada, 25 or under, who has a great idea for a community action project.  $500 Plum Grants are available for anyone in the U.S., 25 or under, who has already started a community action project and needs a little money to keep it going.